I'm lucky to have 2 family owned businesses close to me (within 20 miles) that have a huge selection of hardware. The Fastener Place and Kuzan's Hardware both in the Hamburg PA area.
We had a Fastenal and Tower Fastener by work with accounts at each. I was able to sample out stuff I needed for "work" but it became easier just to go to Ace Hardware. There was one not too far of a hike that had an expanded hardware section.
around here ( mass) )we have tractor supply with pay by the pound and for the hard stuff there is a local store tri state fasteners that has competitive pricing and has most anything you could want and are very nice people to deal with
The Kansas City are has Feldman's, a farm store that also sells by the pound. It's about 1/3 to 1/4 the price of buying at local ACE Hardware stores. We also have Airparts, which is my go-to for DOM tubing, aluminum sheet, drill bits, reamers, etc. plus a huge supply of aircraft related fasteners and hardware.
Reminds me of the old days. National City had surplus metal and mil spec stores, and there was an Aveco fasteners store in town, too. My dad used all of it when restoring cars and it was paradise to wander through them. There was an upholstery fabric outlet, too. Between the rising cost of doing business, shrinking surplus, the rise of the internet and wider competition, most of these are gone. It's harder now to have these great sources for rodding material locally.
I believe I'm good now ..... I contacted Kings through the online YELP app and received a reply with an email address from Joseph at Kings. Thanks again for your offer to help out, very much appreciated.
I believe they were. I just remember being stranded in Downey with my first car (OT) and I went there for parts. They were 24 hrs with a walk up window on the side, got me back home and to work the next day. Hillco is nice also, they don't stock much regular fasteners. They're main focus is specialty and shiny (stainless and chrome).
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